TrappedinMD
Active Member
I haven't seen much in regards to the 783 on the forums yet so I figured I would put together a short review. If anyone is interested in this gun hopefully this helps.
I have been in the market for a rifle to use for recreation and working on the fundamentals. I also wanted this gun to be chambered in a cartridge that i could also use for deer hunting so eventually decided the venerable .30-06. After some shopping around my choices came down to either the Ruger American or the Remington 783. I decided to go with the 783 because it felt better in hand to me and i like the feel of the bolt more. Now I did not expect this gun to be insanely accurate, after all it was only 400$, by the machining on the bore was quite rough from the factory. I was bothered by it enough to take it back to the store and compare the bore of my rifle to that of another 783 on the shelf with a bore scope. The other rifle also had a comparably rough bore but I noticed there was a considerable amount of copper fouling in mine. The store said that if it didnt shoot well that they would make things right so I took it home and soaked the bore with Bore Tech and got the copper out. I assume that my rifle was selected for extended test firing at the factory to have that much copper in the barrel. Anyways I mounted a Nikon Prostaff 4-12 with the BDC reticle and some low weaver rings. With the scope as low as i can mount it, my cheek weld still placed my head to low for my eye to line up with the reticle correctly. I was to anxious to get this gun to the range though so I headed out and zeroed the gun in. After around 14 shots I developed a considerable flinch and after trying to work it out I called it a day after 22 rounds. I started off shooting Winchester Power max bonded 180 grain hollow points and then Hornady Superformance with 165 grain polymer tips. Now even though I was flinching by the time I switched to shooting the 165 gr Hornady ammo I noticed that it didnt seem to group as well as the 180 gr Winchesters. To address the stock height issue I ordered a triad tactical stock pack that uses strips of velcro to adjust the stock height. I also reduced the trigger pull on the 783 but without the tool to measure it I dont know exactly what its pulling now. After getting the stock adjusted to the right height I adjusted the eye relief a bit by moving the scope forward. Now I took it out to the range and took my time in between shots (approximately 4 minutes). With little to no wind I was impressed with the groups the rifle printed. It definitely shot the heavier Winchesters much better then the lighter hornadys. I am very happy with what this gun will shoot out of the box and I think after practicing more with it I hope to get a little better groups. If anyone is considering buying one of these I recommend it, just dont be to bothered by the bore.
All groups shot at 100 yards.
I have been in the market for a rifle to use for recreation and working on the fundamentals. I also wanted this gun to be chambered in a cartridge that i could also use for deer hunting so eventually decided the venerable .30-06. After some shopping around my choices came down to either the Ruger American or the Remington 783. I decided to go with the 783 because it felt better in hand to me and i like the feel of the bolt more. Now I did not expect this gun to be insanely accurate, after all it was only 400$, by the machining on the bore was quite rough from the factory. I was bothered by it enough to take it back to the store and compare the bore of my rifle to that of another 783 on the shelf with a bore scope. The other rifle also had a comparably rough bore but I noticed there was a considerable amount of copper fouling in mine. The store said that if it didnt shoot well that they would make things right so I took it home and soaked the bore with Bore Tech and got the copper out. I assume that my rifle was selected for extended test firing at the factory to have that much copper in the barrel. Anyways I mounted a Nikon Prostaff 4-12 with the BDC reticle and some low weaver rings. With the scope as low as i can mount it, my cheek weld still placed my head to low for my eye to line up with the reticle correctly. I was to anxious to get this gun to the range though so I headed out and zeroed the gun in. After around 14 shots I developed a considerable flinch and after trying to work it out I called it a day after 22 rounds. I started off shooting Winchester Power max bonded 180 grain hollow points and then Hornady Superformance with 165 grain polymer tips. Now even though I was flinching by the time I switched to shooting the 165 gr Hornady ammo I noticed that it didnt seem to group as well as the 180 gr Winchesters. To address the stock height issue I ordered a triad tactical stock pack that uses strips of velcro to adjust the stock height. I also reduced the trigger pull on the 783 but without the tool to measure it I dont know exactly what its pulling now. After getting the stock adjusted to the right height I adjusted the eye relief a bit by moving the scope forward. Now I took it out to the range and took my time in between shots (approximately 4 minutes). With little to no wind I was impressed with the groups the rifle printed. It definitely shot the heavier Winchesters much better then the lighter hornadys. I am very happy with what this gun will shoot out of the box and I think after practicing more with it I hope to get a little better groups. If anyone is considering buying one of these I recommend it, just dont be to bothered by the bore.
All groups shot at 100 yards.